This map reflects states that have passed laws on the use of certain animals in traveling animal acts (i.e., circuses). Covered animals include big cat species (lions, tigers, jaguars, etc.), bears, nonhuman primates, and elephants. As of 2026, ten (10) states ban the use of certain animals in traveling animal act. In addition, three (3) states including California, Rhode Island, and Virginia ban the use of certain training methods (bullhook, ankus, baseball bat, axe handle, or other device designed to inflict fear or pain) that are considered cruel to elephants.
<div class="animallaw-state-map-source" hidden data-format="tablefield-v1"><script type="application/json" class="animallaw-state-map-payload">{"label_creation":[[""],["3","7","Rebuild Table"],["{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Label code (short name, no spaces)\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022Label descriptive name\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Color (Hex code, e.g. #80BFB9)\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00221\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Label-1\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022State with Ban on Coverered Animals in Traveling Acts\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022#01665E\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00222\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Label-2\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022State with Ban on Use of Elephant Bullhooks\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022#5AB4AC\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00223\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022No law\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022#8C510A\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00224\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Label-4\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00225\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Label-5\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00226\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Label-6\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00227\u0022}"]],"map_data":[[""],["3","51","Rebuild Table"],["{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022State\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022URL (relative path, e.g. \\\/statute\\\/name-of-page)\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label code (must match Label code from Label creation table)\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00221\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Alabama\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00222\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Alaska\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00223\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Arizona\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00224\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Arkansas\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00225\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022California\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/www.animallaw.info\\\/statute\\\/ca-circus-article-5-circus-cruelty-prevention-act\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-1\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00226\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Colorado\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/www.animallaw.info\\\/statute\\\/co-circus-%C2%A7-33-1-126-prohibiting-certain-animals-traveling-animal-act-short-title\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-1\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00227\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Connecticut\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00228\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Delaware\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u00229\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Florida\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002210\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Georgia\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002211\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Hawaii\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/www.animallaw.info\\\/administrative\\\/hi-exotic-wildlife-subchapter-2-non-domestic-animal-introductions#s65\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-1\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002212\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Idaho\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002213\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Illinois\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/www.animallaw.info\\\/statute\\\/il-elephant-548-11-unlawful-use-elephant-traveling-animal-act\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-1\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002214\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Indiana\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002215\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Iowa\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002216\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Kansas\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002217\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Kentucky\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/www.animallaw.info\\\/administrative\\\/ky-exotic-wildlife-native-wildlife-transportation-and-holding-native-wildlife301-kar#s082\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-1\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002218\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Louisiana\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002219\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Maine\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002220\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Maryland\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/www.animallaw.info\\\/statute\\\/md-circus-subtitle-2c-traveling-animal-acts\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-1\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002221\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Massachusetts\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/www.animallaw.info\\\/statute\\\/ma-circus-%C2%A7-19c-traveling-animal-exhibits-and-shows-animals-covered-exceptions-penalties\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-1\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002222\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Michigan\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002223\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Minnesota\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002224\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Mississippi\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002225\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Missouri\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002226\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Montana\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002227\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Nebraska\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002228\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Nevada\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002229\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022New Hampshire\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002230\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022New Jersey\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/www.animallaw.info\\\/statute\\\/nj-endangered-chapter-2a-wildlife-generally\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-1\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002231\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022New Mexico\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002232\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022New York\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/www.animallaw.info\\\/statute\\\/ny-exotic-chapter-43-b-consolidated-laws-0#s0540\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-1\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002233\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022North Carolina\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002234\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022North Dakota\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002235\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Ohio\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002236\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Oklahoma\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002237\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Oregon\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002238\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Pennsylvania\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002239\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Rhode Island\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/www.animallaw.info\\\/statute\\\/ri-cruelty-chapter-1-cruelty-animals#s43\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-2\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002240\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022South Carolina\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002241\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022South Dakota\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002242\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Tennessee\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002243\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Texas\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002244\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Utah\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002245\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Vermont\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002246\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Virginia\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/www.animallaw.info\\\/statute\\\/va-cruelty-consolidated-cruelty-statutes#s6589_1\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-2\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002247\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Washington\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022https:\\\/\\\/app.leg.wa.gov\\\/billsummary\\\/?BillNumber=5065\u0026Year=2025\u0026Initiative=false\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-1\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002248\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022West Virginia\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002249\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Wisconsin\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002250\u0022}","{\u0022col_0\u0022:\u0022Wyoming\u0022,\u0022col_1\u0022:\u0022\u0022,\u0022col_2\u0022:\u0022Label-3\u0022,\u0022weight\u0022:\u002251\u0022}"]]}</script></div>
<section class="tablefield-migration" hidden data-role="fallback-table"><h3>Label creation</h3><table><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>7</td><td>Rebuild Table</td></tr><tr><td>{"col_0":"Label code (short name, no spaces)","col_1":"Label descriptive name","col_2":"Color (Hex code, e.g. #80BFB9)","weight":"1"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Label-1","col_1":"State with Ban on Coverered Animals in Traveling Acts","col_2":"#01665E","weight":"2"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Label-2","col_1":"State with Ban on Use of Elephant Bullhooks","col_2":"#5AB4AC","weight":"3"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Label-3","col_1":"No law","col_2":"#8C510A","weight":"4"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Label-4","col_1":"","col_2":"","weight":"5"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Label-5","col_1":"","col_2":"","weight":"6"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Label-6","col_1":"","col_2":"","weight":"7"}</td></tr></tbody></table></section>
<section class="tablefield-migration" hidden data-role="fallback-table"><h3>Map data</h3><table><tbody><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>51</td><td>Rebuild Table</td></tr><tr><td>{"col_0":"State","col_1":"URL (relative path, e.g. \/statute\/name-of-page)","col_2":"Label code (must match Label code from Label creation table)","weight":"1"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Alabama","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"2"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Alaska","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"3"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Arizona","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"4"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Arkansas","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"5"}</td><td>{"col_0":"California","col_1":"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/statute\/ca-circus-article-5-circus-cruelty-prevention-act","col_2":"Label-1","weight":"6"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Colorado","col_1":"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/statute\/co-circus-%C2%A7-33-1-126-prohibiting-certain-animals-traveling-animal-act-short-title","col_2":"Label-1","weight":"7"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Connecticut","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"8"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Delaware","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"9"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Florida","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"10"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Georgia","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"11"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Hawaii","col_1":"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/administrative\/hi-exotic-wildlife-subchapter-2-non-domestic-animal-introductions#s65","col_2":"Label-1","weight":"12"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Idaho","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"13"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Illinois","col_1":"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/statute\/il-elephant-548-11-unlawful-use-elephant-traveling-animal-act","col_2":"Label-1","weight":"14"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Indiana","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"15"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Iowa","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"16"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Kansas","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"17"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Kentucky","col_1":"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/administrative\/ky-exotic-wildlife-native-wildlife-transportation-and-holding-native-wildlife301-kar#s082","col_2":"Label-1","weight":"18"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Louisiana","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"19"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Maine","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"20"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Maryland","col_1":"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/statute\/md-circus-subtitle-2c-traveling-animal-acts","col_2":"Label-1","weight":"21"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Massachusetts","col_1":"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/statute\/ma-circus-%C2%A7-19c-traveling-animal-exhibits-and-shows-animals-covered-exceptions-penalties","col_2":"Label-1","weight":"22"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Michigan","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"23"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Minnesota","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"24"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Mississippi","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"25"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Missouri","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"26"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Montana","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"27"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Nebraska","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"28"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Nevada","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"29"}</td><td>{"col_0":"New Hampshire","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"30"}</td><td>{"col_0":"New Jersey","col_1":"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/statute\/nj-endangered-chapter-2a-wildlife-generally","col_2":"Label-1","weight":"31"}</td><td>{"col_0":"New Mexico","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"32"}</td><td>{"col_0":"New York","col_1":"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/statute\/ny-exotic-chapter-43-b-consolidated-laws-0#s0540","col_2":"Label-1","weight":"33"}</td><td>{"col_0":"North Carolina","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"34"}</td><td>{"col_0":"North Dakota","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"35"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Ohio","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"36"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Oklahoma","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"37"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Oregon","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"38"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Pennsylvania","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"39"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Rhode Island","col_1":"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/statute\/ri-cruelty-chapter-1-cruelty-animals#s43","col_2":"Label-2","weight":"40"}</td><td>{"col_0":"South Carolina","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"41"}</td><td>{"col_0":"South Dakota","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"42"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Tennessee","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"43"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Texas","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"44"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Utah","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"45"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Vermont","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"46"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Virginia","col_1":"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/statute\/va-cruelty-consolidated-cruelty-statutes#s6589_1","col_2":"Label-2","weight":"47"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Washington","col_1":"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/billsummary\/?BillNumber=5065&Year=2025&Initiative=false","col_2":"Label-1","weight":"48"}</td><td>{"col_0":"West Virginia","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"49"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Wisconsin","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"50"}</td><td>{"col_0":"Wyoming","col_1":"","col_2":"Label-3","weight":"51"}</td></tr></tbody></table></section>